Health officials in South Carolina announced the first lab-confirmed case of the South African COVID-19 variant were discovered in the state Thursday. At this time, neither patient has a history of traveling and the cases are not connected. Rachel Lundberg breaks down how this could impact vaccinations and if current vaccines are effective against the more contagious variant.Richard Devayne joins the show from uptown Charlotte, where preparations are underway for the mass vaccination clinic at Bank of America Stadium. Atrium Health said they hope to administer around 20,000 vaccines over the weekend. The clinic comes on the heels of the successful mass clinic at Charlotte Motor Speedway last week. Plus, Ben Thompson explains why GameStop has been in the news this week and what an army of so-called "armchair investors" did that took Wall Street insiders by surprise.Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper extended his modified stay-at-home order through Feb. 28 as the state continues to fight the spread of COVID-19. Cooper acknowledged the state's metrics are improving, but said they're still too high to ease restrictions. Richard DeVayne has details on what Cooper's order means going forward and what rules are in place for North Carolinians for at least another month. President Joe Biden will address health care needs Thursday, with plans to open Affordable Care Act marketplaces for Americans who aren't insured. Meanwhile, Democrats are pushing for a vote on Biden's $1.9 trillion stimulus bill that's alienating Republican lawmakers due to what they call "unnecessary" extras. With a split Senate, Biden and Democrats will need every possible vote for the proposal to pass. Plus, North Carolina will receive an additional 20,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses from the federal government. Biden announced the White House will increase shipments to states by 16% over the next three weeks. This is good news but it's still far short of the demand statewide, where millions of people remain on the waiting list. Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 am. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

It feels like the 2020 election just ended yesterday. The endless political ads from every candidate, debates and heated exchanges on social media feel like they were here a few days ago. But North Carolina's 2022 Senate race is already generating buzz. Ben Thompson connects the dots on why the race is so important and what candidates jumping in early could mean for fundraising. Richard DeVayne joins the program for a preview of Gov. Roy Cooper's press briefing Wednesday. Cooper's executive order that implemented a public curfew from 10 p.m. until 5 a.m. daily expires this week, and with COVID-19 cases beginning to decline, could Cooper ease those restrictions? Tracie Potts has the details from Washington on President Joe Biden's goal to vaccinate 100 million Americans in 100 days. Biden announced yesterday a plan to purchase 200 million doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, which could get 300 million Americans vaccinated by the end of summer. But will it be too late? Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT.

Despite being one of the top states for COVID-19 vaccinations, North Carolina is facing a supply of available vaccines. This has led to many counties, including Mecklenburg, to pause the scheduling of new appointments for vaccinations. Billie Jean Shaw joins Wake Up Charlotte To Go with details on how state officials plan to remedy the situation and what they have in mind for counties moving forward. President Biden is calling for more economic relief as the House plans to take a vote on his proposed stimulus package. The plan would include $1,400 checks for most Americans and provide other benefits to those still out of work due to the pandemic. This happens as former President Donald Trump prepares for his impeachment trial that's set to begin next month following the House's delivery of an article of impeachment to the Senate Monday. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools' board will meet Tuesday night to discuss possible plans for a return to in-person learning. Richard DeVayne has the latest on what parents say they need from the district for their kids. Watch Wake Up Charlotte every weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

A new, more infectious strain of coronavirus was found in Mecklenburg County.But what makes it more contagious? Scientists say it all comes down to mutations. Plus, To aid in the battle for hospital beds Atrium Health has deployed its mobile hospital. It will sit right outside the Pineville Hospital location.

Charlotte Motor Speedway is transforming into North Carolina's largest mass COVID-19 vaccination site. Billie Jean Shaw joins the show from Concord with details on when the vaccinations will begin, how the process will work and what it could mean for other sporting venues as clinics going forward. Richard DeVayne has a report on North Carolina state departments paying for rides so people can get their COVID-19 vaccination. The Department of Transportation and Department of Health and Human Services are teaming up to give $2.5 million toward getting needy seniors a ride to and from the nearest clinic. The program will send money to transportation services and other companies that provide safe, reliable transportation for vaccine recipients. President Joe Biden is expected to sign two more executive orders addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. The first will focus on food stamps, expanding the program and access to food for struggling Americans. The second will increase the minimum wage for all federal jobs to $15 per hour. Biden will also wipe out debt for veterans and ensure people don't need to take jobs that put their health and risk, instead allowing them to remain on unemployment. Ben Thompson connects the dots on why skeptics say the 2021 Tokyo Olympics won't happen despite it being "game on" by the International Olympic Committee. Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte. And as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

South Carolina is among the worst states for COVID-19 vaccine distribution, according to CDC data. In fact, only two states have given fewer vaccines per capita -- Alabama and Georgia. Richard DeVayne has details on a new vaccine clinic in York County and what state leaders have in mind when it comes to speeding up the vaccination process. President Joe Biden hit the ground running on his first day. Just hours after being sworn in, Biden signed more than a dozen executive orders ranging from racial justice to climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic. Biden has an ambitious goal of 100 million vaccines in his first 100 days in office. We connect the dots on who offered a helping hand to the White House for getting those vaccines in the hands of health care workers nationwide. Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte. And as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

In just a matter of hours, President-elect Joe Biden will become President Joe Biden. Inauguration Day is finally here, months after Biden defeated President Donald Trump in last November's election. Tracie Potts joins the show from Washington, where preparations continue, including high security for the event. Plus, President Trump issued over 100 pardons and commutations Tuesday, including former White House adviser Steve Bannon in one of the most controversial pardons of modern times. Ben Thompson connects the dots on Joe Biden's very busy first day in office, as he plans to use executive actions to undo some of President Trump's biggest decisions. Just what does Biden have in mind? It starts with getting the U.S. back into the Paris climate agreement and enforcing a federal mask mandate on government property. And Biden says he has a plan to help Americans stop piling up debt during the pandemic. Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

President Donald Trump is expected to hand out around 100 presidential pardons on his final day in the White House, as President-elect Joe Biden prepares to be sworn in Wednesday. NBC's Tracie Potts has the latest from Washington as Trump bids farewell to the presidency and Biden plans to reverse several of his predecessor's actions.  Cabarrus County is lowering the age requirement for COVID-19 vaccinations, allowing adults 65 and older to schedule appointments for the vaccine. Publix pharmacies across South Carolina will also be offering the vaccine, with appointments now available for scheduling.  And speaking of presidential pardons, Ben Thompson connects the dots on the controversial history that dates back to the earliest years of America, and a relatively recent pardon that spelled the end of a former president's career.  Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

A company called StarMed is joining the effort to distribute COVID-19 vaccines in Mecklenburg County by administering second doses of the Pfizer vaccine at Bojangles' Coliseum starting Monday. Richard DeVayne has details on how StarMed and Mecklenburg County leaders plan to vaccinate as many people as possible in the next week.  NBC's Tracie Potts joins us from Washington DC, where 25,000 National Guard troops will be called in ahead of President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration. There will also be 40 deputies from Mecklenburg County assisting with security ahead of the big event. The FBI is also vetting all 25,000 troops coming in as fears of an insider attack spread across the United States.  Ben Thompson connects the dots on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and why we celebrate Dr. King's work every January.  Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte. And as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!